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Why the North Castle Library is a Community Treasure

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“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library,” said Albert Einstein. To access the library is to access a key to endless information. The following ten reasons are why you want to know the location of the North Castle Public Library.

1. A Children’s Oasis

The library’s innovative children’s programming satisfies all ages spanning from lap babies to high schoolers. The youngest patrons have access to toddler yoga, Sensory Play, Mother Goose, music classes, and the new Toddler Mixer. Ages 4 and up can participate in Science Lab, Robert the Guitar Guy, and reading with the adorable therapy dog Tobie.

The new young adult room (“YA room”) is a safe space for sixth graders and up to gather and do homework, study, and play games. In addition to 3D printers, the YA room has a Nintendo Switch, a PS4, and a Wii. The library also recently purchased 3D pens for the kids to explore and an Oculus Quest for virtual reality games.

Programs for teens and tweens include Dungeons and Dragons, knitting, and the teen book club “Overbooked.” A Teen Advisory Board of high schoolers meets monthly to discuss future programs for the library.

2. Summer Reading with Unexpected Benefits

Last year, the librarians tweaked the annual program by requiring participants to meet with a librarian to discuss the book they read rather than just logging it in on their website. “Parents thanked me because they noticed how much their child had grown over the summer from initially not wanting to make eye contact to learning how to express themselves to an adult and discuss a book,” recounts Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella, Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services at the library.

3. Adult Programming Offering Something for Everyone

Adults can participate in the current affairs book club, the Friday night film series or educational classes for Bridge, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Meditation, Italian language and culture, art history, computer instruction, writing workshops, and more. Public service talks on real estate, ayurvedic medicine, and navigating health insurance are also regularly scheduled.

4. Everything is FREE!

All you need is a library card. Whether you want to attend classes, borrow books, use the public computers, hang out and read magazines, or access the digital collection, it is all free. Libraries are one of the few truly public places where one can have access to whatever one wants without having to spend a dime.

Tobie owned by Armonk resident Karen DiPietro is a therapy dog through The Good Dog Foundation. Each week children at the North Castle Library read to him.
PHOTOS by Carolyn Simpson

5. Download an E-book

Patrons can download free e-books and audio books onto their devices through the Westchester library system.

6. An Amazing Interactive Website

The website at northcastlelibrary.org connects you to online courses, job search engines, virtual concerts, recipes, newspapers, and entertainment. Free tutors are available through Tutor Time to go over math problems, submit a paper for proofreading, or talk to a tutor about any subject. Going on a trip and want the most up to date travel information on a country’s culture, currency or food? Head to the website. Want to take a free class on photoshop? Head to the website.

7. Need a dress?

The library has its very own version of rent the runway. They have a limited collection of party dresses that can be checked out just like a library book, worn, dry cleaned and returned. Other unusual items currently in circulation are fishing poles and ukeleles.

8. A Real Theatre Adjacent to the Armonk library is the 186-seat Whippoorwill Theater Hall.

Two theatre groups, Hudson Stage and The Armonk Players, sponsored by the The Friends of the North Castle Library (The “Friends”), put on shows at the theatre. The Friends are a non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for the library.

9. Exposure to Art

Besides the annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show sponsored by the Friends, the library now features art exhibits in its new gallery located upstairs in the Armonk branch.

10. Librarians Eager to Meet Community Needs

The librarians consistently work to bringing great ideas to life. One of those ideas currently in development is an outdoor garden behind the children’s space with gardening beds, a deck, and a collection of percussion instruments. Construction is set to begin in the spring. The librarians serve as a great resource for anyone needing help with research or looking for a particular book. “People sometimes come over to us and say ‘I hate to bother you’–You’re not bothering us! This is what we do and why we’re here–to help you find what you need,” says North Castle Public Library Director Edie Martimucci.

For an up to date calendar on the library’s programs, go to northcastlelibrary.org You can also follow the North Castle Public Library on Facebook. Teens can find out about upcoming programming on Instagram @ncplteen. The Armonk branch is located at 19 Whippoorwill Road East in Armonk. The phone number is 914-273-3887. The North White Plains branch is located at 10 Clove Road in North White Plains. Their phone number is 914-948-6359.

Year Round Programming and Access at the Chappaqua Library

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The Library’s mission is to provide information, programming, and access to resources and materials for the community’s educational and recreational needs. Our catalog, online resources, and downloadable books, movies and music are available to patrons 24 hours a day either through our website, chappaqualibrary.org. or our mobile app.

The library is open seven days a week during the school year: Monday-Thursday 9-8, Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 1-5. The library is closed on Sundays in the summer.

Your Library–24/7!

  • Free wi-fi, public computers and wireless printing
  • Study and conference rooms
  • A wide assortment of books (including audiobooks and large print), popular and classic DVDs, and music
  • Art gallery with curated exhibits
  • Museum passes
  • Extensive adult, teen, and children’s programming, with book discussions, lectures, concerts, storytimes, movies and more
  • Online research databases
  • Downloadable e-books, audiobooks, movies and music
  • Extensive online archive of filmed library programs

The friendly and knowledgeable library staff will help you with all your research needs. The Chappaqua Library is part of The Westchester Library System, a consortium of 38 libraries in Westchester County with a shared online catalog and daily delivery service. Your library card gives you borrowing privileges at each, plus the ability to reserve an item and have it delivered locally for your convenience.

Board of Trustees

The Library is governed by a five-person board of trustees, elected by the voters of the Chappaqua Central School District. All meetings are open to the public, and generally take place at 7:30p.m.on the third Tuesday of each month.

Friends of the Chappaqua Library

This non-profit organization promotes financial support for the Library through various fundraising events, donations, and membership fees. Meetings to discuss programs and funding are held monthly at the Chappaqua Library. The Friends hold an annual used book sale, which promotes reading throughout the community. They also sponsor the Young Writers Contest every spring for middle school and high school students.

The Chappaqua Library hosts many exciting and engaging programs throughout the year, all free and open to the public. Following are some highlights of recurring and ongoing events:

Big Truck Day

Held annually every spring, Big Truck Day is exactly what it sounds like. Come see an exciting display of “big trucks”–including, but not limited to, Chappaqua and Millwood firetrucks, Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps van, Chappaqua Transportation school buses, motorcycles, and assorted construction vehicles–right outside, in the Chappaqua Library parking lot! The event is free of charge and open to the public, and all ages are welcome!

Computer Help

Confused by your computer or smart phone? Our knowledgeable students can help you figure them out. One-on-one sessions let you focus on what you need.

Foreign Policy Discussion Group

Meeting at the Library once every other week for 16 sessions, this group listens to an expert guest speaker discuss world affairs. Discussion and questions follow. The topics offered vary from session to session and year to year.

Friday Hangout

Held every Friday during the school year (September through June, except for school vacation days), the library hosts a different drop-in program each week for students in grades 7-12. Past offerings have included author visits, book discussions, poetry readings, arts-and-crafts projects, and healthy snack cooking demonstrations.

Great Books

Read thought-provoking essays, poems and excerpts from longer pieces of literature and philosophy by great thinkers throughout the ages, classic to contemporary. Participants use the “shared inquiry” method of discussion to deepen and explore their understanding of the readings.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Wynton Marsalis is your guide in this film series that explores the many facets of jazz.

Museums at the Library

This open house-style event, held every spring, features booths from local museums where participants can learn about each museum and take part in creative and fun hands-on activities. Science, art, nature, history, music and more; all ages welcome!

Rising Stars Concert

Held annually in April or May, this music festival features young student performers. Classical and contemporary works from West to East are performed, followed by light refreshments. Co-sponsored by the Organization of Chinese Americans of Westchester/Hudson Valley.

Teen Study Hours

The Library extends its hours until 10 p.m. for high school students during exam weeks in January, May & June. Cooperative study groups encouraged!

Yale Alumni Lecture Series

Expert teachers present their most popular lectures. Recent offerings have included The Six Films That Changed America and Psychology and the Good Life.

Other Events

Themed film series, author talks, poetry readings, writing workshops, gardening lectures, book signings, health and wellness programs, and more!

For dates and registration information, go to the Events tab on the library’s website, chappaqualibrary.org.

 

Courtesy of the Chappaqua Library